Three youngsters from Ghent with a passion for natural wines are organising the second alternative wine fair in the old docks of the Belgian city of Ghent on June 2 and 3. PURR (with additional emphasis on the final ‘r’ as pronounced in the Ghentian dialect) was founded by Jason Zappa Janse, Stijn Demeulemeester and Tristan Lybaert.
Starting off as a ‘wine fair’ it has evolved into an informative, socio-cultural and culinary concept, immersed in a relaxing atmosphere.
The passion for natural wine of the founders has led them to create an event for what is commonly known as natural wine. The term “natural” was coined by winemakers who wanted to distinguish themselves from conventional viticulture. These winemakers work according to the principles of organic or biodynamic agriculture – often recognizable by labels such as AB, Demeter, Ecocert or Biodyvin – and produce their wines with a lot of respect for both man and nature. Consequently, the use of chemicals or artificial ingredients is avoided both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Through PURR, Jason, Stijn and Tristan offer a platform to those winemakers who make honest products and pure terroir expressions in an artisan way.
On the first weekend of June, the second edition of the PURR wine fair will take place in a historic cotton warehouse in the old docks of Ghent. That weekend, thirty European winemakers descend to the Muide district to present their wine, story and vision to the public in the beautiful cellars of Loods 20. Over 150 wines will be on offer for tasting.
The wine fair opens its doors on Saturday between 3 pm and 10 pm, and on Sunday between 11 am and 6 pm. The entrance fee for the fair is €10 and tickets are available online. Everyone is welcome at PURR: professional and private, connoisseurs and enthusiasts, young and old. Those who would like to buy wine during the fair can do so directly from the winemakers themselves.
Between Friday evening and Sunday evening everyone is also cordially invited to the freely accessible PURR Village, located on the outdoor, elevated platform of Loods 20. There, visitors can choose from a wide selection of wine and artisan beers by the glass at our bar, grab a bite to eat at one of the original, local food stands and enjoy a couple of live concerts. Michael Pilozzi and Jet Valstar of former Ghentian Bento-bar Nunchi will be preparing barbecue-based and Nunchi-style food.
An evening dinner is also being organised on Saturday on the elevated, outdoor platform of Loods 20 in collaboration with Kim Devisschere and Nele Victoor of Ghent’s gastronomic hotspot Roots.
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